Exploring Potential Therapeutic Opportunities for GammaTile in Neurosurgery: Matthew Shepard, MD

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"Currently, we possess a substantial amount of valuable retrospective data from the gamma tile approach. Moreover, there are even some non-randomized prospective studies dedicated to examining gamma tile's impact. However, our next step is to broaden our research to encompass prospective trials, which is already underway in certain centers."

GammaTile therapy is a surgically targeted radiation therapy that provides immediate, dose-intense treatment at the completion of resection. This approach includes a bioresorbable collagen that is placed at the tumor site immediately after tumor removal, followed by focused radiation in areas where the tumor is most likely to recur. The therapy is designed to protect healthy tissue, minimizing radiation side effects, including hair loss.

In previous studies, the FDA-cleared approach has shown significant control in recurrent brain metastases and meningiomas in comparison with the previous standard-of-care. Within the first 10 days after surgery, 50% of the therapeutic dose is delivered, helping prevent residual tumor cells from replicating. As time goes on, 88% of the therapeutic dose is delivered within 30 days, with more than 95% of the dose delivered by 6 weeks. GammaTile uses a Cesium-131 radiation source, which has a half-life of 9.7 days.1

The use of GammaTile in neuroradiology and neuro-oncology has grown in recent years. Matthew Shepard, MD, a neurosurgeon at Allegheny Health Network, believes the treatment has several therapeutic and safety benefits, including the minimal radiation exposure for treated patients. In a recent interview with NeurologyLive^®, Shepard discussed the broader implications of this technology, and the potential for expanded use. Additionally, he spoke on the questions that still remain regarding its application, including the research needed to fully understand its impact.

REFERENCE
1. Brachman D, Youssef E, Dardis C, et al. Resection and permanent intracranial brachytherapy using modular, biocompatible cesium-131 implants: results in 20 recurrent, previously irradiated meningiomas. J Neurosurgery. 2019;131(6):1819-1828.